Climbing Mount Kinabalu - the Preparation

Finally, it is Christabel's turn to be brought up to climb Mt Kinabalu by her dad. It has been a few good months of training and the the final packing has to be done. Here are some the blogs that have given good advise on packing and climbing tips. 

What to bring ? 

This is a good guide on what to pack.

On what to expect during the climb

What are the activities during climb

Christmas Family Posts from years past

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2016

Growing up pain and injury

Our dear Bel had a fall during early morning basketball practice session on 27 March 2015, form teacher called me at 7:20 am saying that she has been crying after the incident for quite some time and suggested that I took her home or to bring her to hospital.

It was a small fracture on the radius bone of left arm, tiny fracture but yet it has to be set in a cast. After review by the specialist on 30 March with another Xray taken, doctor concluded that she only needs to be in a cast for three weeks. This is a relief.

Sport injury is part of sportman's adventurous journey. Growing up pain does include fracture. All these are part of growing up journey.

What is Favism / G6PD ?

Favism is a medical condition which is caused by an enzyme deficiency in the blood. People with this deficiency can experience anemia as a result of exposure to fava beans. The condition is most common in people who live around the Mediterranean, and it generally affects men, although women can be carriers. For people with this deficiency, an assortment of other foods and some pharmaceuticals can also trigger a reaction. The most effective treatment is avoidance of substances which can trigger anemia, and a blood transfusion for people in anemic crisis.


Officially, favism is known as Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency, or G6PD. The severity of this condition varies from patient to patient; in all cases, people suffer what is known as hemolytic anemia because their lack of this enzyme means that the health of their red blood cells is impaired. As a result, the cells can break down very quickly, triggering a range of symptoms from tiredness to coma, depending on the severity of the anemia. Southeast Asians and some Africans are also at risk of favism.

Fava beans have been linked with anemic conditions since ancient times, which is why “favism” is used as a generic name for G6PD deficiency. However, not all people with this condition react to fava beans, and other legumes can also spark an anemic episode. G6PD deficiency also causes severe reactions with some medications; people with this condition should talk to their doctors, as different drugs represent different risks for unique individuals, and the list of risky drugs is quite long.

For someone with severe favism, exposure to the pollen of fava beans can cause a reaction, as will consumption of the beans. The patient may feel tired, feverish, or experience a headache, and the condition can also cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. If left untreated, favism can result in serious health problems, like a coma. Early warning signs of favism include jaundice, dark urine, and a general sense of feeling run down and tired all the time.

People who think that they may have favism can be tested for it. There is a simple blood test which will check a patient's enzyme levels to determine whether or not the patient has favism and how severe the condition is. If anyone in your family has the condition, you may want to consider testing, since G6PD is genetic.


What is Favism / G6PD ?

Household Names

When we start this family, we think of names as very important beginning for each of our child. The selection and short-listing of names began when each of them was still part of the mummy's "bun". As eager parents in the waiting, we always prepared two sets of names, you know, one for boy and one for girl. We didn't get to use the girl name until the last, well, its like Saved the Best for Last. As Chinese parents, we get to choose 2 sets of names of each of them, in Chinese and in English.

All the Chinese names here are in Hainanese pronunciation except mummy who is a Hakka dialect decent.

Michael Heng Yee Boon
In Hebrew the meaning of the name Michael is: Who is like God? Gift from God. In the Bible, St. Michael was the conqueror of Satan and patron saint of soldiers.

Doria Tai Yun Tyng
“Doria”, a variant name of “Dorothy”, "Dora" means “Gift of God”.
In Spanish The meaning of the name Daria is: Rich.
Yun Tyng means forever graceful.

Elliot Heng Fook Juan
In English origin Elliot is God on high; my God is Jehovah. Variant of Elijah.
In Scottish Elliot is: Old Welshman.
In French Elliot is: Believes in God.
He is Elliot because Elliot is variant name of Elijah, means God is Jehovah.
Fook Juan means the Source of Blessings which is God Himself.

Wallace Heng Fook Loon
Scottish Origin is : Welshman; stranger. Famous Bearer: Scottish hero Sir William Wallace.
English origin is: From Wales.
German origin is: A Welshman.
But he is Wallace because he is brave-heart, a warrior of Christ. Also the truth is that he had been to Wallace Monument before he was born.
Fook Loon means Blessed and Harmonious.

Malcolm Heng Fook Swan
In Gaelic is: Servant/disciple of Columba. Famous Bearers: Conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent and U.S. black militant Malcolm X (Malcolm Little).
In Scottish origin is: St. Columb's disciple.
He is Malcolm because he is Discipline and Pro claimer of Christ, just like St Columb who spread the gospel truth to Scotland.
Fook Swan means Blessings as large as turning river into a sea.

Christabel Heng Fook Yun
The name Christabel in English is: Variant of Christiana. Follower of Christ.
She is Christabel because she is beautiful follower of Christ.
Fook Yun means Blessed and Melodious.

In summary, here are our names and their meaning :-

Michael Gift from God. Who is like God?

Doria A Gift of God

Elliot Jehovah is God.

Wallace Brave warrior of Christ

Malcolm Proclaimer & Follower of Christ

Christabel Beautiful folower of Christ

Dr Michael Heng Yee Boon

Name : Michael Heng Yee Boon
Meaning of Name :
The name Michael comes from the Hebrew origin. In Hebrew The meaning of the name Michael is: Who is like God? Gift from God. In the Bible, St. Michael was the conqueror of Satan and patron saint of soldiers.
Nickname : Ah Boon
Birthday : 25 March
Job : Dental Surgeon
Learning : Violin, Piano, Vocal
Special Achievements : Climbed Mount Kinabalu 8 times!
Hobbies : Gardening, Music
Sports : Gym & Swimming
Favourite Food : Anything yummy & healthy & wholesome !
Favourite Pets : Bengie, the first dog !
Life Motto : To Serve God.
Ambitions : Bring all my sons & daughter up the Mount Kinabalu.
Ideas about God : God is awesome, God is great.
Favourite Bible Verse : Too many to name.

Wallace Heng Fook Loon

MySpace Countdowns

Name : Wallace Heng Fook Loon

Meaning of Name :

Wallace Scottish Origin is : Welshman; stranger. Famous Bearer: Scottish hero Sir William Wallace (executed in 1305).Welshman; stranger.

English origin is: From Wales.

German origin is: A Welshman.

But he is Wallace because he is brave-heart, a warrior of Christ. Also the truth is that he had been to Wallace Monument before he was born.

Fook Loon means Blessed and Harmonious

Nickname : Ah Loon

Birthday : 18 February 1998

Learning : Piano, Violin, Football

Hobbies : Football (everything about it)

Sports : Football (Eat football, sleep football, school-time also football)

Favourite Food : Adventurous on anything!

Favourite Pets : Puppy

Life Motto : To enjoy life.

Ambitions : To be the best footballer I can be.

Dreams : I dream to play for Manchester United Football Club.

Wishes : To play football as pro.

Ideas about God : God is very powerful cause when He created the world, He just SAID it all !

Favourite Bible Verse : Psalm 1 & 23

Heroes : Cristiano Ronaldo

Most wanted to be : Cristiano Ronaldo

If I have 1 Million US Dollar, I will :

Save for my education and use for football training !

Elliot Heng Fook Juan

MySpace Countdowns

Name : Elliot Heng Fook Juan
Meaning of Name :
In English origin Elliot is God on high; my God is Jehovah. From a surname derived from a medieval abbreviation of the Greek Elias. Variant of Elijah. In Scottish Elliot is: Old Welshman. In French Elliot is: Believes in God. He is Elliot because Elliot is variant name of Elijah, means God is Jehovah.

Fook Juan means the Source of Blessings which is God Himself.

Birthday : 15 September 1996

Learning : Piano, Violin

Hobbies : Computer, Reading, Stamps Collection

Sports : Badminton

Favourite Food : Anything healthy and nice!

Favourite Pets : Dogs

Life Motto :To serve God in my life

Ambitions : Doctor, Dentist, Scientist

Dreams : Study abroad

Wishes : Be a wise man.

Ideas about God : He is the most important person in the Universe !

Favourite Bible Verse : Love the Lord your God will all your heart, with all your soul and your might.

Heroes : My Parents

Most wanted to be : Become someone important

If I have 1 Million US Dollar, I will : Put to my bank account for study and charity works !

Malcolm Heng Fook Swan

MySpace Countdowns

Name : Malcolm Heng Fook Swan
Meaning of Name :

The name Malcolm in Gaelic is: Servant/disciple of Columba. Famous Bearers: Conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent and U.S. black militant Malcolm X (Malcolm Little). In Scottish origin is: St. Columb's disciple.
He is Malcolm because he is Discipline and Proclaimer of Christ, just like St Columb who spread the gospel truth to Scotland.
Fook Swan means Blessings as large as turninng river into a sea.

Nickname : Mel (Mel Gibson), Meow-Meow
Birthday : 8 Nov 2000
Learning : Playing piano
Special Skills : Dad says I can sing like Choir Boy.
Sports :I think I just look and see first.
Favourite Food : Chicken Wings
Favourite Pets : Swan (One day, I will find one as pet)

Life Motto : To be a good person when I grow up.
Ambitions : Doctor or Dentist

Dreams : To be as strong as Power Ranger!Wishes : I wish to go for more family holidays! Go Penang, Pulau etc.
Ideas about God : Dear God, You are a Very Important Person, so please take care of Yourself, You can’t be sick otherwise noone can take care of You.
Favourite Bible Verse : Psalm 23
Heroes : Power Ranger Ninja Storm
Most wanted to be : To be very rich and happy !
If I have 1 Million US Dollar, I will :
How much is 1 Million US Dollar, mummy? How many zeros at the back of one? In this life, what will cost 1 Million US Dollar?

Christabel Heng Fook Yun

MySpace Countdowns

Name : Christabel Heng Fook Yun

Meaning of Name : The name Christabel in English is: Variant of Christiana. Follower of Christ. She is Christabel because she is beautiful follower of Christ.

Fook Yun means Blessed and Melodious.

Nickname : Bel

Birthday : 30 May 2005

Learning : Keen to learn Anything

Special Skills : Drawings on the walls !

Sports : I think I just look and see first.

Favourite Food : Anything nice !

Favourite Pets : Anything nice !

Life Motto : To be a darling for everyone!

Ambitions : I wonder what you are talking about ?

Dreams : Yes, I dream everynight.

Wishes : I wish everyone stays home with me to play all day.

Ideas about God : Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Praise kids !

Favourite Bible Verse : God Is Good all the time !

Heroes : Daddy & Mummy & Ko-Kos

Most wanted to be : To be the pretty me !

If I have 1 Million US Dollar, I will : I wonder what you are talking about ?